Table top soccer board game utilizing marbles

ABSTRACT

A table top soccer board game comprising a game board defined by a rectangular flexible piece of green baize, having a flat top surface, a pair of goals whose shape and proportions resemble a soccer goal, comprising a first goal and a second goal, the first goal being located at one end of the rectangular field and the second goal being located in front of the first one on the opposite side; a first and second set of marbles representing the players of the first team, and a soccer ball, whose size and color clearly differ from the size and color of the marbles of the first and second team.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a set suitable for playing a table top soccer board game. The invention is, however, more particularly directed to a table top soccer board game utilizing marbles, that includes a flexible field defined by green baize marked out like a soccer field, a couple of plastic goal posts, two sets of eleven marbles each (representing the players) and a ball, smaller than the above cited marbles.

2. Background of the Invention

There are several table top sports games in the prior art, some of them related to soccer. In all the known cases, the game includes a rigid board on which a soccer field is marked out, and two sets of players are set out. By different means, a ball can slide from one player to the other on the field. One team will score every time the ball passes over the goal line.

For example, a bumper soccer game comprises a rectangular rigid board using roofing nails pounded into the board as players, a marble as a soccer ball and a pair of popsicle sticks as shooters. An elastic band is wrapped around into a rectangular fashion to define a perimetral limit of the soccer field.

Another known example comprises a playing device for playing a table game on a table having a playing surface. Said device provides a table game resembling soccer played with cues, players and a ball, the players being mounted on a housing supported on a rotary ball whereby the players can roll along the table to move the ball.

Also known is a game apparatus adapted for use in conjunction with a standard billiard table; the game apparatus comprising a sheet of flexible material and at least one target apparatus, wherein each target apparatus is releasably engageable with the sheet of flexible material and is adapted to releasably receive a ball member. Said game apparatus is adapted to enable the playing of the game in which one or more billiard balls interact with the ball member, the target apparatus and the billiard table, in particular cushions and pockets thereof.

Even though the above cited table top soccer games of the prior art address some of the needs of the market, a new, improved and economical table top soccer game is still desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing an easy-to-carry and use, economical table top soccer game.

In accordance with one implementation of the present invention, the invention consists of a table top soccer board game comprising:

-   -   a game board defined by a rectangular flexible piece of green         baize, having a flat top surface,         -   said top surface is inscribed with markings which             approximate the markings of a soccer field;     -   a pair of goals whose shape and proportions resemble a soccer         goal, comprising a first goal and a second goal, the first goal         being located at one end of the rectangular field and the second         goal being located in front of the first one on the opposite         side;     -   a first set of marbles representing the players of the first         team,

the marbles of this first set are identified with the same color or marking;

-   -   a second set of marbles representing the players of the second         team,         -   the marbles of this second set have the same size of the             marbles of the first set but they are identified with a             color that clearly differs from the color or marking of the             first team; and     -   a marble that defines the soccer ball, whose size and color         clearly differ from the size and color of the marbles of the         first and second team.

In one aspect, the table top soccer game comprises two sets of eleven marbles each, representing the soccer players.

In another aspect, the table top soccer game comprises two sets of eight marbles each, representing the soccer players.

In another aspect, the soccer ball is white and its size is smaller than the size of the marbles of the first and second team.

In another aspect, the green baize that defines the soccer fields can be rolled up and stored in a regular game box.

In another aspect, the marbles are made of glass, plastic, wood, rubber, or the like.

In another aspect, the goals are made of molded plastic.

These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 presents an isometric view of an exemplary table top soccer game.

FIG. 2 presents a schematic front view of elements included in the present table top soccer game originally introduced in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 presents is an isometric view of a game box into which all the elements of the present table top soccer game are stored; and

FIG. 4 presents a finger of a player while pressing a marble to hit the soccer ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claim. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

A table top soccer board game set 100 includes a game board 110 of FIG. 3, defined by a rectangular flexible piece of green baize, having a flat top surface 120. The board game 110 comprises a flexible flat surface capable of being installed or set up on any type of rigid or flexible surfaces, included but limited to, a table 200, a bed, on the floor, etc.

The flat top surface 120 is inscribed with markings 130 which approximate the markings of a soccer field. These markings include two longitudinal touch line 131, two transversal goal lines 132, a halfway line 134 that divides the field in two halves, a center circle 136, a penalty area 138 and a goal area 139.

The game set 100 also includes a pair of identical goals whose shape and proportions resemble a soccer goal, comprising a first goal 140 and a second goal 142. The first goal 140 is located on one of the goal lines 132 of the rectangular field defined by the rectangular marking 130, and the second goal 142 on the opposite goal line 132.

The players of this game 100 are represented by two sets of marbles. The first set of marbles 310 represents the players of the first team and the second set of marbles 320 represents the players of the second team. The players of each set must be identified with the same color or marking. In the present case the first set 310 is identified with plain white, and the second set 320 the marbles are identified with plain black. Nevertheless, any type of color or marking can be used, with the only condition of avoiding the usage of combinations of colors and/or marking that may create any type of confusion to the users.

Also, every set of marbles 310,320 may include marbles of different sizes in order to identify the function of each player. For example, the goalkeeper may be represented by a 1″ marble, the regular players by a ½″ marble and the soccer ball by a ¼″ marble.

Both sets of marbles 310,320 have the same sizes and they are usually made of the same material, which may be chosen from glass, plastic, rubber, wood, etc.

There must be no more than 11 players (marbles) 310,320 on the field of play 120 for either team. A minimum number of players is usually 7. One player from each team must be designated as a goalkeeper. The goalkeeper marble may be of a different color/size from its teammates so that everyone can easily distinguish the goalie.

Also, every set of marbles 310,320 may include 8 or 11 marbles, depending on the number of players and the type of game the users want to play.

Another marble 150 defines the soccer ball, whose size and color clearly differ from the size and color of the marbles of the first and second set of marbles 310,320. In the present example, the soccer ball 150 is white with a cross line and its size is considerably smaller than the size of the marbles 310,320 that represent the players, for example, ¼″.

All the basic elements of the present table top game are shown in FIG. 2. These include rolled green baize 110, a first set of marbles 310, a soccer ball 150, a first goal 140, a second goal 142, and a second set of marbles 320.

One of the main differences between the present top-table game 100 and the soccer games of the prior art resides not only on the physical differences but also on the way the game is played. Particularly in the present case, there are no players attached to the field. The players are defined by marbles 310,320.

To begin the game, the garners must decide who will start the game, and then every player must accommodate his/her marbles (players) on the green baize in accordance with the tactics and strategies the player wants to put into practice.

Once all the marble players 310,320 are set on the flat top surface 120, the game starts by hitting the soccer ball 150 with one of the marble players 310,320. To do this, the player (see FIG. 4) must press the marble 310,320 downward with the tip of a finger. This finger-flipping motion moves the marble 310 forward until the marble player 310 hits the soccer ball marble 150 and creates a sliding motion with it.

Every time the marble player 310 hits the ball 150, the team continues to play by hitting the ball 150 until this ball enters the opponent's goal 140,142.

Every time the player misses the ball 150, the other team is given the turn to hit the ball 150 with one of the marble players until the ball 150 enters the opponent's goal 140,142.

Every time the ball 150 goes out of bounds, the other team can rearrange the positions of the marbles before reentering the ball 150 into the game.

Game time is usually set at 30 minutes (15 minutes each half) and the winner will be the team that scores the most. If at the end of the time set the game remains tied, then the teams will proceed to the shooting penalties to determine the winner.

The ball 150 is out of play whenever it is completely outside the outside edge of the touchline 131 or the goal line 132. The ball is in play if any part of the ball is inside or touching the touchline 131 or goal line 132.

A goal can only be scored if the entire ball 150 goes completely over the outside edge of the goal line, under the cross bar and between the goal posts while it is in play. Any player may score goals, including the goalie.

If a player commits a foul, the opponent is allowed to make a free kick. The defending team can form a barrier of marbles in front of the soccer ball 150. There are two types of free kicks: direct and indirect. On a direct free kick, the ball 150 may be hit directly into the goal 140,142 for a score by the player taking the kick. The direct free kick is taken at the spot where the foul occurred, unless it is within the penalty box. Then a penalty kick is awarded. An indirect free kick can be scored only if the ball is touched by one or more players from either team, after it is kicked into play and before it enters the goal.

One of the advantages of the present table top game 100 comprises its portability. As clearly illustrated in FIG. 3, all the elements of the present game 100 can easily be stored in a game box 500. The rolled green baize 110, the sets of marbles 310,320, the soccer ball 150 and the two goals 140,142.

Also, it can be set up on every type of surface; for example, in the table of FIG. 1, on any other flat surface, like a floor, a rug, etc.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

TABLE TOP SOCCER BOARD GAME FIG. 1 100 Soccer board game 110 Green baize 120 Flat top surface 130 Markings 132 Perimetral rectangular line 134 Central straight line 136 Central circular line 138-139 Inner areas 140,142 Goals 150 Soccer ball 200 Table 310,320 First and second set of marbles FIG. 2 100 Soccer board game 110 Green baize 140,142 Goals 150 Soccer ball 310,320 First and second set of marbles FIG. 3 110 Green baize 140,142 Goals 310,320 First and second set of marbles 500 Game box 

What is claimed is:
 1. A table top soccer board game utilizing marbles comprising: a game board defined by a rectangular flexible piece of green baize, having a flat top surface, the top surface is inscribed with markings which approximate the markings of a soccer field; a pair of goals whose shape and proportions resemble a soccer goal, comprising a first goal and a second goal, the first goal being located at one end of the rectangular field and the second goal being located in front of the first one on the opposite side; a first set of marbles representing the players of the first team, the marbles of this first set are identified with the same color or marking; a second set of marbles representing the players of the second team, the marbles of this second set have the same size of the marbles of the first set but they are identified with a color that clearly differs from the color or marking of the first team; a marble that defines the soccer ball, whose size and color clearly differ from the size and color of the marbles of the first and second team. 